Xifres de comerç exterior de Moçambic

Foreign Trade in Figures

Mozambique is open to foreign trade, which represents more than 116% of the country's GDP (World Bank, 2019). It is a member of the WTO, and of the South African Development Community (SADC), and has signed trade agreements with Malawi and Zimbabwe. In February 2018, Mozambique joined the EU–SADC EPA that was signed in June 2016 by Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. The country also signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. The government seeks to reform its trade regulations to improve its business climate and encourage exports. Customs duties remain high and there are numerous non-tariff barriers in the country (such as slow customs clearance procedures). The country primarily exports natural resources (aluminium, coke and coal, electrical energy, hydrocarbons, titanium, gemstones), tobacco and sugar. Mozambique imports hydrocarbons, metal products (aluminium), electrical energy, vehicles, boats, foodstuffs (rice, wheat, and fish), cements and medications.

Mozambique's main customers are South Africa, India, the United Kingdom, China, Italy and the Netherlands. Its main suppliers are South Africa, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Portugal (Comtrade). Mozambique could become one of the largest exporters of natural gas in the world by 2024 (the country is home to the third largest reserve in Africa) thanks to the discovery of new reserves. The planned construction of natural gas power plants as well as the construction of a new dam should allow the country to increase its exports of electricity to neighboring countries. Export infrastructure (railways, deep water ports, liquefied natural gas plants) is also under construction, and will support exports of natural gas and coal to Asia. However, the Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado, a key region for gas production, will delay LNG projects.

Mozambique's trade balance is negative and is expected to remain negative until exports of coal and gas to Asia develop. It increased recently due the capital goods imports related to reconstruction and liquefied natural gas projects. In 2020, merchandise imports decreased to USD 6.47 billion, while exports slowed down to USD 3.59 billion. Imports of services reduced to USD 2.38 billion, while exports only reached USD 764 million (WTO). The trade deficit in goods amounted to USD -2.29 billion, and it reached USD -4.03 billion including services (World Bank). In 2022, a rebound in coal and aluminium exports is expected, and the start of LNG production at the Coral South offshore site should strengthen exports from June 2022 (Coface). Capital goods imports are expected to increase but the suspension of LNG projects could impact imports.